What is Prilosec OTC used to treat?
Prilosec OTC is used to treat frequent heartburn. Heartburn occurs when
the stomach contents back up and out of the stomach into the esophagus
(the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). Frequent heartburn
is when you have heartburn 2 or more days a week.
Prilosec OTC is not the right medicine for you if you have occasional heartburn,
one episode of heartburn a week or less, or if you want immediate relief
of heartburn.
It is very important that you carefully read and understand the Prilosec
OTC label directions, warnings, and side effects. Most importantly, the
label will tell you when you should seek medical attention instead of taking
Prilosec OTC.
How does Prilosec OTC work?
Prilosec OTC stops the stomach from making acid. This causes less heartburn.
Will Prilosec OTC work as well as the prescription strength Prilosec?
Both prescription Prilosec and Prilosec OTC contain the same active ingredient,
omeprazole, which effectively stops acid production. Prescription Prilosec
treats diseases that require diagnosis and supervision by a doctor. Prilosec
OTC treats only symptoms of frequent heartburn. Used as directed, Prilosec
OTC will not treat the conditions that prescription Prilosec treats.
How is Prilosec OTC taken?
Prilosec OTC is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every
24 hours) for 14 days before eating. You should not take it for more than
14 days or repeat a 14-day course more often than every 4 months unless
directed by a doctor.
Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet. This decreases how well Prilosec
OTC works in the body.
If Prilosec OTC takes a few days to take effect, can I take more
each day to make it work faster?
No. Prilosec OTC is not intended for immediate relief of occasional heartburn.
Prilosec OTC may take 1 to 4 days for full effect, although some people
get complete relief of symptoms within 24 hours.
Who should take prescription strength Prilosec rather than Prilosec
OTC?
Although the two products contain omeprazole, prescription Prilosec
is for treating conditions such as inflammation of the esophagus
(esophagitis), ulcers, and other medical conditions for which
a doctor’s
supervision is needed.
For this reason, stop taking Prilosec OTC and tell your doctor if you:
- are not feeling better and your heartburn continues to worsen
- need to take this product for more than 14 days
- need to take more than 1 course of treatment every 4 months
Prilosec OTC is not appropriate for adults who:
- have only occasional heartburn
- have one episode of heartburn a week or less
- want immediate relief of heartburn
Who should not take Prilosec OTC?
Do not take Prilosec OTC if you have:
- had an allergic reaction to Prilosec in the past
- trouble or pain swallowing food
- vomiting with blood
- bloody or black stools
Does Prilosec OTC interact with food or other drugs?
When you are taking Prilosec OTC, it is especially important that your
health care provider know if you are taking any of the following:
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- prescription antifungal or anti-yeast medicines
- diazepam (anxiety medicine)
- digoxin (heart medicine)
How is Prilosec OTC different from the other OTC treatments
for heartburn?
There are other OTC drug products used to provide immediate relief for
heartburn. These includeantacids and acid reducer drug products such
as Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet, and Axid. Prilosec OTC should not be confused
with these products because it works differently and is not intended
for immediate relief.
What are some possible side effects of Prilosec
OTC?
Although side effects from Prilosec OTC are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- diarrhea
- constipation
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- cough
- cold symptoms
- dizziness
- rash
Prilosec
OTC Approved Label 
|
